526453_Chevron_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025020761
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
526453_Chevron_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/21/2025
Document Description
The project would sidetrack one steam flood injection well and convert to cyclic steam in order to repair damage and restore functionality. Operations include cleaning out the wellbore, laying a cement plug, drilling a new wellbore, cementing casing, and perforating the new wellbore. The well will operate within the existing completion zone and work will not increase the depth of the well. Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins may be needed. Various mobile temporary equipment will be used including, but not limited to, backhoe, crane, drilling and rework rig, etc., and vehicles to transport personnel and materials to and from the site. No new production facilities or new ground disturbance will take place. Any waste materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The work will not expand the use of well pads, roads, staging areas or pipeline. No new facilities will be constructed.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving one permit for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to sidetrack the well listed below, in the Coalinga Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0401925235 Claremont 4-FW
Contact Information
Name
Mikayla Vaba
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Tammy Bellman
Agency Name
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Southern California
Township
20S
Range
14E
Section
24
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Coalinga Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 consists of the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously.” (14 CCR § 1684.1.) This includes “remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells involving the alteration of well casing, such as perforating and casing repair, removal, or replacement; installation or removal of downhole production or injection equipment, cement plugs, bridge plugs, and packers set to isolate production or injection intervals.” The proposed project involves remedial, maintenance, and conversion work on an existing well conductor and wellbore, including cleaning out the wellbore, laying a cement plug, drilling from the wellbore, cementing casing, and perforating the sidetracked wellbore. The well will be converted from steamflood to cyclic steam, which is a negligible change in use that would not result in significant surface or subsurface impacts. The purpose of this work is to restore functionality, as the well is damaged. The well will operate within the existing completion zone consistent with historical use. The work will not increase the depth of the well. Existing well pads, roads, pipeline, and other infrastructure will be used. No new production facilities or ground disturbance will occur. The engineer determined that the proposed project falls within the scope of the current PAL (UIC Project 15000056). Therefore, the proposed project would involve negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because the rework consists of the “replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced[.]” (14 CCR § 15302.) The proposed project would replace an existing damaged wellbore to return the well to its original functionality. The well will operate within the existing completion zone consistent with past and present use and consistent with the existing PAL. The work will not increase the depth of the well. The conversion of the well from steamflood to cyclic steam serves substantially the same purpose under the PAL, which authorizes both well types.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 applies because the rework consists of “drilling operations that result only in minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.” (14 CCR § 1684.2; see also 14 CCR § 15304.) The proposed project involves converting a steamflood injection well by cleaning out the wellbore, laying a cement plug, drilling a new wellbore, cementing casing, and perforating the new wellbore. These are negligible modifications to an existing steamflood injection well that would restore the well to its original functionality. No new facilities will be constructed, and no grading or other ground disturbance will occur. Existing roads, well pad, and other infrastructure will be used. Therefore, Class 4 applies.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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